2016 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS
- Sunday June 26th-Sunday July 3rd, 2016
- Century Link Center – Omaha, Nebraska
- Friday-Sunday – Prelims – 11:00 am EDT Finals – 7:45 pm EDT
- SwimSwam Preview Links & Schedule
- NBC Televison Coverage Schedule
- Psych Sheets
- Sunday Heat Sheets
- Live results
The 2016 U.S Olympic Trials in Omaha, Nebraska begin this morning with five races, and inevitably six Olympic roster spots that will be up for grabs in finals.
The men’s 400m IM is one of the most anticipated races of the day, pitting Olympic gold medallists Ryan Lochte and Tyler Clary against Chase Kalisz as he hopes to qualify for his first Olympic team.
Several other events feature tight head-to-head can’t miss battles that will have veterans battling up-and-c0mers, a common theme to these trials.
Following this morning’s prelims, the semifinalists in the women’s 100m butterfly and 100m breaststroke will be revealed as will the finalists in the men’s 400m IM, women’s 400m IM, and men’s 400m freestyle, giving us the first idea of who might be the first few swimmers on the U.S Olympic squad.
MEN’S 400m IM
2016 Top seed: Tyler Clary (4:09.03)
World record: 4:03.84 – Michael Phelps
American record: 4:03.84 – Michael Phelps
U.S Open record: 4:05.25 – Michael Phelps
U.S Nationals record: 4:05.25 – Michael Phelps
JR World record: 4:14.07 – Brandonn Almeida (Brazil)
2012 Winning Time: 4:07.06 – Ryan Lochte
In a head-to-head battle that sets the pace for tonight’s final, Chase Kalisz got the better of multi-time Olympic medallist and defending 2012 Olympic champion Ryan Lochte in heat four of the men’s 400m IM.
Lochte was out quick in 56.06 to Kalisz’s 57.14 and extended his lead to just over two-seconds at the halfway mark with a strong backstroke leg. Kalisz took control on the breaststroke however, splitting a 1:10.26 in order to take control of the race with 100 meters to go. Despite a charging Lochte on the last 50, he held on to touch in at 4:11.86 to Lochte’s 4:11.98.
The two posted the fastest times during the ‘A’ flights and are expected to be the top two seeds following the completion of the ‘B’ flights later in the session.
Behind Lochte and Kalisz during heat four were Gunnar Bentz and Sean Grieshop who took the fourth and fifth seeds heading into tonight’s finals. Bentz hit hard on the breaststroke and freestyle legs to come home in 4:13.67, just slightly ahead of Grieshop’s 4:14.00.
The time for 17-year-old Grieshop broke the former world junior record held by Brandon Almeida of Brazil at 4:14.07.
Jay Litherland took the third seed overall after the ‘A’ flights with a very strong 4:12.57 in heat five. Litherland demonstrated a very impressive back-half highlighted by a huge freestyle leg that put him out in front to touch in at 4:12.57.
Josh Prenot, whose breaststroke prowess allowed him to come back strong on Tyler Clary who had the lead at the 200, was second in 4:14.19. His breaststroke split of 1:07.91 was the fastest of the entire field. Michael Weiss was third in heat five with a 4:15.21, Clary was fourth in 4:15.41.
This is the first time since the 2004 Olympic Trials that Ryan Lochte is not the top seed heading into the 400m IM final.
TOP EIGHT AFTER ‘A’ FLIGHT HEATS
- Chase Kalisz (4:11.86)
- Ryan Lochte (4:11.98)
- Jay Litherland (4:12.57)
- Gunnar Bentz (4:13.67)
- Sean Grieshop (4:14.00)
- Josh Prenot (4:14.19)
- Michael Weiss (4:15.21)
- Tyler Clary (4:15.41)
For official results, click here.
WOMEN’S 100m BUTTERFLY
2016 Top seed: Dana Vollmer (56.94)
World record: 55.64 – Sarah Sjostrom (Sweden)
American record: 55.98 – Dana Vollmer
U.S Open record: 56.38 – Sarah Sjostrom (Sweden)
U.S Nationals record: 56.42 – Dana Vollmer
JR World record: 56.99 – Penny Oleksiak (Canada)
2012 Winning Time: 56.50 – Dana Vollmer
Kelsi Worrell made a statement this morning in heat 13 of the 100m butterfly prelims with a wicked 56.84 performance which now ranks her fourth in the world this season. Even with a long finish, Worrell managed to dominate the event, as 2012 Olympic champion and current American record holder Dana Vollmer took the second seed over half-a-second behind her.
Vollmer won the 14th and final heat with a 57.50, going out strong and holding onto her tempo as she approached the touch.
As expected, the two are well ahead of the rest of the field heading into tonight’s semifinals. Cassidy Bayer was the closest to Vollmer, and even she was almost a full second and a half behind her in 58.91. Kendyl Stewart, who represented the United States at the 2015 World Championships, was fourth overall in 59.07.
Behind Stewart is a huge clump of swimmers all within eight-tenths of a second of one another. Despite Worrell and Vollmer, there are no discernible leaders who stand out for tonight’s semifinal.
TOP 16
- Kelsi Worrell (56.84)
- Dana Vollmer (57.50)
- Cassidy Bayer (58.91)
- Kendyl Stewart (59.07)
- Eva Merrell (59.12)
- Katie McLaughlin (59.14)
- Sarah Gibson (59.19)
- Hali Flickinger (59.24)
- Felicia Lee (59.45)
- Lauren Case (59.52)
- Kaitlyn Jones (59.52)
- Cammile Adams (59.56)
- Claire Donahue (59.61)
- Ivy Martin (59.65)
- Hellen Moffitt (59.67)
- Natalie Labonge (59.87)
For official results, click here.
MEN’S 400m FREESTYLE
2016 Top seed: Connor Jaeger (3:44.81)
World record: 3:40.07 – Paul Biedermann (Germany)
American record: 3:42.78 – Larsen Jensen
U.S Open record: 3:43.53 – Larsen Jensen
U.S Nationals record: 3:43.53 – Larsen Jensen
JR World record: 3:44.60 – Mack Horton (Australia)
2012 Winning Time: 3:47.67 – Peter Vanderkaay
Zane Grothe took it upon himself to lead the way in the prelims of the men’s 400m freestyle by taking the top seed with a heat four win in 3:47.03. Grothe managed to hold on for the win, taking down Townley Haas and Michael McBroom who were with him for most of the race.
McBroom ended up touching behind Grothe in 3:47.70 to take the third seed overall heading into tonight’s finals. Haas was third with a 3:48.09 performance that currently ranks him fifth overall.
Assuming nobody from the “B” flighted heats betters their performances, all three swimmers are locks for tonight’s final.
Conor Dwyer won heat five of the 400m freestyle with a very similar time to Grothe’s, clocking in at 3:47.15 to beat 1500m freestyle American record holder Connor Jaeger. Jaeger was second in 3:47.97 for fourth overall.
True Sweetser, Clark Smith, and Grant Shoults make up the remaining top eight.
TOP EIGHT AFTER ‘A’ FLIGHT HEATS
- Zane Grothe (3:47.03)
- Conor Dwyer (3:47.15)
- Michael McBroom (3:47.70)
- Connor Jaeger (3:47.97)
- Townley Haas (3:48.09)
- True Sweetser (3:48.20)
- Clark Smith (3:48.86)
- Grant Shoults (3:50.52)
For official results, click here.
WOMEN’S 400m IM
2016 Top seed: Maya DiRado (4:31.71)
World record: 4:28.42 – Ye Shiwen (China)
American record: 4:31.12 – Katie Hoff
U.S Open record: 4:31.07 – Katinka Hosszu (Hungary)
U.S Nationals record: 4:31.12 – Katie Hoff
JR World record: 4:39.01 – Rosie Rudin (Britain)
2012 Winning Time: 4:31.74 – Elizabeth Beisel
Sarah Henry had the most impressive swim coming out of prelims with a solid 4:36.93 to win the fourth heat of the women’s 400m IM.
Henry was battling with 2012 Olympian Elizabeth Beisel for the majority of the race, taking the lead following the breaststroke leg. Beisel tried to catch her on the free but Henry kept moving forward, claiming the eventual win.
Henry’s time makes her the 12th fastest swimmer this season in the event, and the fourth fastest American.
Beisel was second in 4:37.61, the second fastest time overall after the ‘a’ flighted heats. Bethany Galat finished third behind Beisel in heat four, also demonstrating a very solid second half much like her Texas A&M teammate Henry.
Galat was a 4:38.39, the third fastest performance overall from this morning.
Maya DiRado ended up winning heat five as expected, dropping a 4:38.54 time. She had control of the race right from the get-go, holding off advances from Caitlin Leverenz who picked up some ground during the breaststroke leg.
Madisyn Cox, Katie Mills, and Lindsey Clary are the remaining three finalists, and albeit someone in the ‘b’ flighted heats betters their times, will be competing in tonight’s final.
TOP EIGHT AFTER ‘A’ FLIGHT HEATS
- Sarah Henry (4:36.93)
- Elizabeth Beisel (4:37.61)
- Bethany Galat (4:38.39)
- Maya DiRado (4:38.54)
- Caitlin Leverenz (4:39.55)
- Madisyn Cox (4:40.97)
- Katie Mills (4:41.40)
- Lindsey Clary (4:42.04)
For official results click here.
MEN’S 100m BREASTSTROKE
2016 Top seed: Cody Miller (59.51)
World record: 57.92 – Adam Peaty (Britain)
American record: 58.96 – Eric Shanteau
U.S Open record: 59.01 – Mark Gangloff
U.S Nationals record: 59.01 – Mark Gangloff
JR World record: 1:00.12 – Anton Chupkov (Russia)
2012 Winning Time: 59.68 – Brendan Hansen
It took a few heats for things to really heat up in the men’s 100m breaststroke as Andrew Wilson dropped a 59.76 in heat 12 to be the first swimmer under one-minute during prelims.
Following Wilson’s performance, 17-year-old Michael Andrew stepped up to the blocks and absolutely flew. With a 59.96 performance, Andrew became the youngest American swimmer in history to swim under one-minute in the 100m breaststroke. His time ranks him fifth heading into tonight’s semifinals.
The final heat featured a bloodthirsty battle between both Cordes and Miller who did not disappoint. Cordes came home like a rocket, holding off a charging Miller to touch in for the win at 59.05 to 59.33. His time was just four one-hundredths shy of the U.S Nationals meet record and the U.S Open record of 59.01.
The time ranks Cordes third in the world this year.
Lost in the commotion of the Cordes-Miller battle was a huge swim by Cal’s Josh Prenot. Prenot rocked a 59.76 at the touch to take the fourth seed overall.
TOP 16
- Kevin Cordes (59.05)
- Cody Miller (59.33)
- Andrew Wilson (59.76)
- Josh Prenot (59.76)
- Michael Andrew (59.96)
- Marcus Titus (1:00.44)
- Brendan McHugh (1:00.46)
- Will Licon (1:00.50)
- Nic Fink (1:00.58)
- Alex Evdokimov (1:01.14)
- Ian Finnerty (1:01.14)
- Sam Tierney (1:01.15)
- Reece Whitley (1:01.20)
- Connor Hoppe (1:01.38)
- Brandon Fiala (1:01.40)
- Chuck Katis (1:01.41)
For official results click here.
If Michael Andrew is 17 wouldn’t his 59.96 be a new Jr World Record in the 100M Breast?
John – kind of, kind of not. It’s faster than the fastest ratified Junior World Record, by a Chinese Swimmer was 59.64 earlier this year that is the fastest, but FINA hasn’t recognized it.
Hello Everyone! Ready for some RACING???
Quick thoughts
No major surprise so far.
Some swimmers always have a problem to swim cleverly in prelims and save energy. That’s always a mystery to me.
Men’s 400 IM
The expected 2-men battle between Lochte and Kalisz. Litherland will come back very strong on freestyle but it shouldn’t be enough.
I wanted a final and a world junior record by Sean Grieshop. He’s done it. Now it’s a bonus.
Clary didn’t look good at all. But why does he still swim that event?
Women’s 100 fly
The expected 2-women battle between Vollmer and Worrell. The rest of the field is well behind. Hopefully a 3rd girl can swim 58 low in semifinals. It was a… Read more »
Dear Thomaslurzfanfan,
Hey for someone who names himself “Thomaslurzfan” I might reconsider calling out anyone for a suspicion of doping when THOMAS LURZ (your buddy) was suspended for doping… Just saying..
Thomas Lurz never tested positive nor was he ever suspended. TLF’s comments were ill judged and reflect poorly on him. But let’s get the information right and be fair to the swimmers.
This I am not aware of – could you kindly outline the nature & date?
1) When exactly was he suspended and for what? Please tell me, then i wont “support” him any longer.
2) If you dont have any prove, than you better find a way to delete this comment
3) Thomas Lurz isnt my buddy, please grow up and/or adapt your vocabulary to your age
My Day 1 Prelims Analysis –
The men’s 400 IM final will be special, with Kalisz, Lochte and Litherland within 1.5 seconds out of prelims, the fight for the first 2 places will be intense.
Kelsi Worrell isn’t messing around, but Vollmer is still hanging in there, and there’s no doubt they are still the clear favorites to make the team.
The 400 free is a huge question mark, will Grothe use his insane last 50 speed from 2015 US Nats to get to the wall ahead of the pack? Dwyer looked strong and relaxed, and Jaeger is a world finalist in this event. Will the Longhorns (Haas, Smith) add to the mix?
The women’s 400 IM was… Read more »
Finals(not semis) prediction:Cordes with a 57.97 just missing wr by .05
Just in time for the olympics, many american swimmers show insane improvements again, cant say that i am surprised. This was absolutely predictable and i am still shocked that many people were so negative about american swimming after 2015 world championships. There is just too much money for american athletes to earn and WADA will never touch the US, so the US will remain the dominant country in athletics and swimming forever. As long as Russia will be banned, everyone will be happy and no one will question american athletes. Either we should allow doping or we should fight doping in all countries and not just in some “evil” counties like Russia or Kenya.
The hypocrisy of some american… Read more »
People don’t take Wang Lizhou’s record seriously because HE ALREADY HAS TESTED POSITIVE. But I guess you need some way to cope now that the US has shown that we really aren’t on any slide in the swimming world.
Also, just to further prove your ignorance, Andrew has steadily dropped his time a lot. He recently went 1:00.4 and 1:00.3 at tuneup events. It’s not like he suddenly just dropped the time. So if you are going to make asinine accusations against an entire fan base, Atleast educate yourself first.
Or how about you try to understand the comment you quote first? Your arrogance is even worse than your hypocrisy.
So why isnt the chinese guy banned? Obviously WADA/FINA doesnt really agree with you, otherwise they wouldve banned him (longer), but i guess you know better then them … Maybe he took some illegal substance (i dont doubt it), but how do you know that he wanted to cheat by taking it? How do you know better than WADA/FINA? This example just shows that you are not willing to judge his case without prejudices. He is chinese, so he must have tried to cheat, there is no other possible explanation for you …
Andrew swims as fast as the chinese… Read more »
Most people would have been surprised if he *hadn’t* broken a minute at OTs. I certainly would have. He’s swam multiple 1:00’s on his progression through this season building up to trials. Like PVDH said, do your homework so the rest of us don’t have to listen to you spouting rubbish.
And on the drugs aspect, we should always be suspicious. But in this case, as others pointed out… Wang Lizhou has actually tested positive… so discounting his swims because of drugs is actually based on fact, not just jealousy, hearsay, nothing …etc.
If a swimmer is skipping testing, maybe you can make that claim. After all, that was one of the clues with Lance Armstrong. But if they are being tested, and if their training and taper aligns with their results, what is your evidence. I am not closed to the idea, but it can’t just be an objection to times, regardless of nationality.
I’ll give you an upvote just for your creative writing skills.
Thanks! I’ll give you an upvote because you were able to see my genius.
You know you might have had a point in there. It’s not just Russia or China. We would be foolish to believe that athletes don’t dope in the US. People that believe otherwise are naive. Gary Hall Jr. has often reminded us of this so that Americans don’t adopt a gullible rose tinted view. However, you really come across poorly when you throw around baseless and completely misinformed accusations. But I get it. You look at the heat swims and you’re worried about your guy, Mr. Koch in the 200 breast. His competition for medals may be getting that much tougher. I guess it’s easier for you to believe the worst against the rivals of your country’s best swimmer. Who… Read more »
MA has a very long history of dropping time……..he’s been doing it since he was 10yrs old. Some commentators have been giving him stick about not dropping enough. Almost everything he does can be extrapolated from his previous performances. TLF, I think that you are a little low on “T”.
Even by your mopey standards, that’s a stupid comment. MA swims 1:00s in mid-season training meets and is 17 years old, so dropping 7 tenths at his big taper meet is supposed to be suspicious. Call 60 Minutes! Oh, and the Chinese guy people are complaining about actually tested positive! Gee, why would anyone be upset about that?
I went through all of this earlier, but here again:
1) He dropped about 1s in one year at a distance of 100
2) Was there any clean junior before him who went sub 1:00? If not, then Andrew is the first “clean” junior to ever swim sub 1:00 and he is still eligible for the junior world record until the end of next year. So should we assume that he is by far the most talented junior ever, while the chinese guy is just some average talent who got only so fast thanks to doping?
I am NOT calling Andrew a doper, i am just somewhat shocked that some questions seem to be “illegal” as soon… Read more »
“Even by your mopey standards …”
Insulting me wont make you more credible, you are just embarrassing yourself by doing it. If you have something to say, then try to state your point as clearly as possible and i wont have any problem to discuss with you. If your only concern is to discredit my point by insulting me, then i dont really feel “encouraged” to treat you like a gown-up and to discuss with you like i would with a grown-up.
Insane improvement??? I didn’t see any among the top swimmers just a couple tenths from a few. Cordes, worrell and prenot
Wonder what happened with Seliskar? I thought he would make top 8along with Bentz and Litherland.
It seems like he’s training more fly with Cal than a variety, which is what he was doing at NCAP. I think his 2 fly later this week will be what he’s focusing on
You know, I had been considering putting in a couple of my top 4 picks, gambling on a great taper because I know his potential, but he has been a bit behind expectations all season, except his solid 1:39.9 2Fly at NCAAs, and even his recent swims were a little off. Even with 6th-8th scratching for tonight, he still just missed out on finagling. Maybe he’s one of the many young swimmers that take a year or two to fully adjust from transition from home to college? I didn’t put him in my top 4 for the 2Fly or other events, but hope he can be around his PB which is 1:55.9 I think.